Nature Trust (Malta) appeals to the Environment Protection Unit of MEPA to ensue with efforts to conserve and protect the White Tower bay sand dunes, a Nature 2000 Site of International Importance and a Special Area of Conservation, since they are one of the very few remaining examples of sand dune habitats in the Maltese islands. Indeed, they are the best preserve example of sand dune habitat on the island of Malta, being the last known haunt for a number of highly restricted species, such as the spiny echinophore (busbies xewwieki tar-ramel) and the purple spurge (gemmugha tar-ramel).

Following a UNESCO granted project way back in 2003, NTM started a study on the sand dune habitat of this bay. This was followed by a draft management plan for the conservation of this site, which was submitted to MEPA in April 2007. To date, talks on the revision and eventual approval of the management plan, which would spearhead unambiguous conservation efforts on site, are stalled.

Year after year this site has however been in continuous struggle with vandalism and illegal activities. Parking of vehicles and boats, camping, dumping of waste on the dunes and vandalism on bollards and education signs have been noted especially during the summer months.

NTM had started discussions with MEPA for the setting up of a management plan for the site. Following phase one, NTM has been calling on MEPA to continue the work started and finalise a holistic conservation plan for this site.

Today the site is once again in a highly degraded state. NTM cannot understand why after so much effort to get funds and to compile management plans to conserve an area, such projects seem to always end up half-way in the pipeline.

Permalink: NTM urges MEPA to continue the conservation of White Tower Bay Sand Dunes